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08 OCT 02.docCITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 2, 2008 7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M. REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING - CITY HALL - #1 MUNICIPAL DRIVE The City Council of the City of Jacksonville, Arkansas met in Regular Session on October 2, 2008 at the regular meeting place of the Council. Alderman Smith delivered the invocation and Nick Whisker led a standing audience in the “Pledge of Allegiance” to the flag. ROLL CALL: Aldermen: Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Rinker, Fletcher, and Stroud answered roll call. Mayor Swaim also answered ROLL CALL declaring a quorum. Alderman Ray arrived at approximately 7:02 p.m. PRESENT EIGHT (8), ABSENT (2). Aldermen Twitty and Howard were absent. Others present for the meeting were: City Attorney Robert Bamburg, Deputy City Clerk Lynette Culpepper, Director of Administration Jay Whisker, Nick Whisker, Public Works Director Jim Oakley, Human Resource Director Jill Ross, City Planner Chip McCulley, Assistant Finance Director Cheryl Erkel, Fire Chief John Vanderhoof, Police Chief Gary Sipes, Parks and Recreation Director George Biggs, Parks and Recreation Marketing and Public Relations Manager Marlo Jackson, CDBG Director Theresa Watson, Mrs. Judy Swaim, Mrs. Edith Smith, Mrs. Addie Gibson, Mr. Larry Smith, Mike Wilson, interested citizens, and members of the press. PRESENTATION OF MINUTES: Mayor Swaim presented the minutes of the regular City Council meeting of September 18, 2008 for approval and/or correction at the next regularly scheduled City Council meeting. APPROVAL AND/OR CORRECTION OF MINUTES: Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud that the minutes of the Regular City Council Meeting of 4 September 2008 be APPROVED. MOTION CARRIED. Parks and recreation Director George Biggs introduced newly hired Parks and Recreation Marketing and Public Relations Manager Marlo Jackson. The City Council welcomed Ms. Jackson to her new position. CONSENT AGENDA: WATER DEPARTMENT: WASTEWATER DEPARTMENT: FIRE DEPARTMENT: POLICE DEPARTMENT: Request to Accept Bid for Roof System Public Works Director Jim Oakley explained that the Courts building was bid to have a new roof system, explaining that currently rainwater collects on the roof so the roof would need to be tapered to move water off the roof. He stated that the low bidder is unable to provide the slope that will be necessary to effectively move the water, adding that his recommendation would be for the higher bidder. He noted that the CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 2, 2008 7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M. higher bid from Fraley Roofing is $400.00 over the low bid. He related that Fraley Roofing would construct an 8” taper on the flat roof. He then answered that the material would be I-B instead of the Duralast, explaining that it is a rubber membrane. He then answered Alderman Stroud that the taper would be 8” slightly over 30 feet. He stated that it is critical to be able to get an 8” taper considering the air conditioning and ducts that are located on the rooftop. He noted that the low bidder stated that they could only do a 3” taper. He stated that it would be effective in keeping rainwater from puddling on the roof. Mayor Swaim noted that this is only one roof of a few more City buildings that would need to be addressed in the next year. Public Works Director Jim Oakley agreed, saying that another would be the CDBG building as well as the other Court building. Mayor Swaim clarified that this would be the section that was formerly the old courtroom portion of the building, adding that the new courts office building would still need to be addressed. Public Works Director Jim Oakley then answered that the area to be addressed is slightly over 2,000 square feet. Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to reject the low bid and approve the bid from Fraley Roofing, Inc. in the amount of $19,500.00 with funds to be drawn from budgeted funding. MOTION CARRIED. STREET DEPARTMENT: SANITATION DEPARTMENT: PARKS & RECREATION: PLANNING COMMISSION: GENERAL: a. RESOLUTION 618 (#11—08) A RESOLUTION EXPRESSING WILLINGNESS OF THE CITY OF JACKSONVILLE, ARKANSAS, TO UTILIZE FEDERAL AID MONIES FOR THE SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Mayor Swaim noted that this is a grant program that the City had participated in previously. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to read Resolution 618 (#11-08). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Resolution 618 (#11-08). Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve Resolution 618 (#11-08) in its entirety. MOTION CARRIED. b. ORDINANCE 1350 (#17-08) AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE DESTRUCTION OF SPECIFIED CITY DEPARTMENT RECORDS; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 2, 2008 7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to place Ordinance 1350 on FIRST READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, and Stroud voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1350. Alderman Smith moved, seconded by Alderman Fletcher to APPROVE Ordinance 1350 on FIRST READING. Discussion ensued and it was determined that State law requires certain records be kept for three (3) to seven (7) years and all records requested for destruction are duplicates and/or over 10 years. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, and Stroud voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to place Ordinance 1350 on SECOND READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, and Stroud voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1350. Alderman Fletcher moved, seconded by Alderman Ray to suspend the rules and place Ordinance 1350 on THIRD and FINAL READING. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, and Stroud voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Ordinance 1350. Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Ray that Ordinance 1350 be APPROVED AND ADOPTED. ROLL CALL: Aldermen Elliott, Smith, McCleary, Sansing, Ray, Rinker, Fletcher, and Stroud voted AYE. NAY (0). MOTION CARRIED. ORDINANCE APPROVED, ADOPTED AND NUMBER 1350 THIS 2ND DAY OF SEPTEMBER 2008. c. Amendment to North Metro Hospital lease agreement Mayor Swaim related that the item of business deals with an amendment to the North Metro Hospital lease agreement, explaining that the Hospital Board has been working with entities that are interested in leasing the Hospital. He related that the existing lease under the 501(C-3) not for profit board states that the Hospital cannot be leased to a “for profit organization”. He explained that a “for profit” and a “not for profit” organization has shown interest in leasing the Hospital. He stated that it is not certain which will show the greater interest but the Board would like the leeway to offer to either entity. He related that because there is bond financing that is tied to the length of the lease, they are requesting that the lease term be extended as well as changed to “profit or non-profit.” He noted that City Attorney Bamburg has prepared a resolution to be placed on the agenda. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 2, 2008 7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M. Alderman Elliott moved, seconded by Alderman Stroud to suspend the rules and place Resolution 619 (#12-08) on the agenda. MOTION CARRIED. RESOLUTION 619 (#12-2008) A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MAYOR AND CITY CLERK TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE ALL NECESSARY DOCUMENTS IN EFFORTS TO SECURE A LONG TERM LEASE FOR THE OPERATION OF NORTH METRO MEDICAL CENTER; AND, FOR OTHER PURPOSES. Alderman Ray moved, seconded by Alderman Elliott to read Resolution 619 (#12-08). MOTION CARRIED. Whereupon City Attorney Bamburg read the heading of Resolution 619 (#12-08). Alderman Stroud moved, seconded by Alderman Smith to approve Resolution 619 (#12-08) in its entirety. In response to a question posed by Alderman Fletcher, Mayor Swaim related that one of the agreed upon negotiation points was that whoever is selected would operate an acute care hospital with an emergency room. He then offered that the new group may bring in specialty care, noting that there is sufficient bed space for adding specialty operations. He stated that the main purpose is to maintain medical care for the community. He related that in today’s economy that can be difficult to do, noting that two other hospitals recently had to have a sales tax passed in order to keep from closing and continue to provide community medical care. He stated that it would be harder for Jacksonville to pass a sales tax because there is another hospital within six miles, while these two hospitals were in communities that are more isolated. He stated that with a high number of Medicare and Medicaid patients, the amounts collected are less than with a conventional insurance company. He then noted that recently hospitals in Dardanelle and Stuttgart also leased their city hospitals because they were in danger of closing, adding that Lake Village, Malvern and Mena have had to pass sales taxes to support their hospitals. He stated that it is difficult to maintain a hospital in this economy, explaining that the health care industry is not a very profitable business without the right mix of patients. Alderman Fletcher stated that while most people might not think that six or ten miles is very far to drive, last spring when his father was in the hospital at Springhill, there was a vast difference when driving to the hospital every night versus driving to North Metro. He explained that when his father was in Jacksonville North Metro it made a world of difference regarding the convenience; he then commended the quality of care and the hospital staff at North Metro. He expressed his appreciation for the Hospital, stating that every effort needs to be made to ensure that Jacksonville continues to have that facility. Mayor Swaim stated that any other considerations, such as a bond issue, would be brought back to the City Council for further action. CITY OF JACKSONVILLE REGULAR CITY COUNCIL MEETING OCTOBER 2, 2008 7:00 P.M. – 7:22 P.M. At this time, MOTION CARRIED. APPOINTMENT(S): ANNOUNCEMENT(S): EDUCATION FACILITY UPDATE Mayor Swaim informed the City Council that he received a letter last week that the Pentagon has accepted the City of Jacksonville’s offer to share in the cost of the facility. In response to a question posed by Alderman Ray, Mayor Swaim explained that the LRAFB is now hosting three wings. The 314th wing representing the AETC portion, the 19th wing or AMC portion, and the 189th that is the Air Guard portion. He noted that this offers Jacksonville a better opportunity for growth at LRAFB. He stated that the change was made October 1st and the transition was very smooth, adding that in order to maintain continuity the tenant wing is now the 314th and the host wing is the 19th wing, since it is the larger of the group. He then explained that the wing commander from the 314th was moved as wing commander to the 19th wing to provide continuity through experience. He then answered that there would probably be more missions involved in Iraq and Afghanistan as a result of the changes. He related that AETC trains pilots and crews, and the Air Mobility Command is the wing that goes to war. WING DING He then announced that the Wing Ding Festival would be held Saturday at Dupree Park, encouraging everyone to attend. Alderman Smith noted as Chairman of the Advertising and Promotions Commission that several billboards and statewide magazines will be promoting Jacksonville with the new logo “Soaring Higher”. ADJOURNMENT: Without objection, Mayor Swaim adjourned the meeting at approximately 7:22 p.m. MOTION CARRIED. Respectfully, ________________________ _________________________ Susan L. Davitt MAYOR TOMMY SWAIM City Clerk-Treasurer